The New York Times reports that US intelligence assesses Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new Supreme Leader, is more supportive of advancing nuclear weapons than his father. According to the assessment, Iran is currently focused on preserving and hiding nuclear equipment from potential strikes rather than immediately resuming the program. US officials estimate the new leadership seeks to develop an advanced nuclear warhead that can be mounted on a missile, and has tightened security around the 'Mountain of the Pickaxe' facility, which it says is protected from airstrikes, fearing a US commando raid.
The New York Times report, citing US intelligence officials, details that Iran is currently focusing on preserving and hiding its nuclear equipment from potential strikes, rather than immediately resuming the program. The report specifically mentions the "Mountain of the Pickaxe" facility, which Iran claims is protected from airstrikes, and says security has been tightened there due to fears of a US commando raid. This assessment builds on earlier reports from Friday evening.
The Zioneer reported on Friday, July 24, at 21:30 Jerusalem, that US intelligence assessed Mojtaba Khamenei as more determined than his father to pursue nuclear weapons. At the same time, N12 reported that US officials said the new Supreme Leader supports developing an advanced thermonuclear warhead rather than a simple fission bomb. An earlier version of the NYT report had already detailed Iranian efforts to move nuclear assets to the Mount Makosh complex. The new report provides additional specifics on the concealment strategy and the regime's fear of ground operations.
The Zioneer has previously documented Khamenei's hardline stance, including his June interview with Fars News in which he rejected nuclear negotiations as contrary to ideology. Internal power struggles within Iran's leadership have also been reported, with factions vying to influence the new Supreme Leader. The new report suggests that the leadership's priority is now survival of the program through concealment, even as long-term ambitions for an advanced warhead remain.
The report does not specify whether the US intelligence assessment is based on new signals intelligence, human sources, or analytical modeling. It remains unclear whether the concealment strategy is a temporary measure or a permanent shift in doctrine.
4 developments
- DevelopingReport: Debate in Iran's top leadership escalates, each camp seeks to pull Mojtaba Khamenei to its side
- StrongUnverified reports: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appeared at father's funeral events
- DevelopingNew analysis raises questions over Mojtaba Khamenei's status and who runs Iran
- DevelopingTrump says he knows Mojtaba Khamenei's whereabouts, praises his 'logic and courage'
Source and signal
- Open-source intake